The New York Herald Newspaper, December 5, 1854, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 6676. SRW PUBLICA FIONA. ey FERN’S BOOK—RUTH work w! "saya an able critic who has see: proof ly exceeds anything whieh Fas Ferm has heretofore written, but which in many respects a any other work whatever.’’ Will be publish- ed December 11. Price $1 25. BROTHERS, New York. THe MILITARY. AVID O'BRIEN, GUARD ATTENTION.—THE MEM. bers ofthis company aro requested to attend a inceting to be held at Centre upper drillroom, oa ‘Tuesday evening, at 74; o'clock. Punctual attendance is requested, as this is the Isat meeti: vious to theex- cursion. By crder, JAS. NI , Commandant, 4. Donsznty, Secretary. IFE ILLUSTRATED.—A NEW FIRST CLASS WEEK- ly, devoted to news, literature, science, the arts, entertainment, improvement, progress; to encourage a ‘— i and activity among the People; to poimt ous the means of profit and economy, and to iscuss and illustrate, in lively sketches, the leading ideas of the day; to record all signs o! progress, and to advocate the political and industrial riglis of all classes. Posneesing superior facilities for doing 0, we shall rost satisfied With nothing short of making Life Illustrated one of the fnost popular and best family newspapers in the world. Terms—single copy, oue year, $2; five » One year, $8; ten copies, (nud oac for agent,) . Bubseriptions commence at Please ad- wt paid, FOWLERS & W 308 Broadway. splendid large sheet, just such a paper as its name imports. The most fastidious cannot fail to find in its ntns something attractive, pleasing and instructive. ‘The entertainment is truly rich and rare, and well suited to the taste of the student of improvement and progress. Sout Carolina Standard. MOST MAGNIFICENT NATIONAL ILL work ever published in Ame ., S46 and 348 Broadway, publish thi TRE REPUBLICAN COURT, OR AMFRICAN SOCIETY IN THE DAYS OF WASHINGTON, Rufus Wilnot Griswold, with twenty-one portraits of aistioge shed women; engraved from original pictures by Woolaston, Copley, Gainsborough, Stuart, Trumbull, me. und other comtemporary painters; one volume quarto, autique moroseo, $12. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Mrs, Washington, at the period of her marriage, from Woolaston’s famous portrait, at Arlington House. Mra. William Duer, daughter of Lord Sticling, mother of Judge Duer, President Luer, Ke. Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, daughter of Gen. Schuyler, from a picture painted in her twenty-seventh year. Mrs. James Madison, “Dolly Payne,” as painted by Stuart, just after her marriage. ‘Mrs,’ William S, Smith, daughter of Jobn Adams, from one of Copley’s finest pictures, Joba Jay, daughter of Governor Livingston, and ‘Chief Justice—a great beauty. Sire, Rufus King, daughter of William Alsop, and mother of Charles King, James G. King, Join A. King, ® {RATED APPLETON Mra, Ralph Izard, of South Carolina, an aunt of Bish- op Delancy, of the late Mra, Fenimore Coo Mre. James Beekman, ¢ Beekman, a fashionable New York dame of 1789. Mra. John Adams, one of the mont celebrated ladies of berage for talents and influence. Mrs, Harrison Gray Otis (the elder), a famous beauty —from one of Malbone’s masterpieces. Mrs. Richard Caton, daughter of Charles Carroll, and * mother of the Duchess of Leeds, Marchioness of Welles- &e. ‘Thomas M. Randolph, daughter of-Thomas Jef- deseribed by Johu Randolph as "the sweetest creature in Virginia.” Mrs. Henry Phillips, daughter of the celebrated Judge Chew, and one of ‘Washington's pet Indios.” Mrs, William Bingham, daughter of Thomas Willing, and grandmother of Lord Asbburton—a magnificent beauty, for twenty years at the head of the fashionable world in America. Mrs. Theodore Sedgwick, of the Dwight family, wife of the great federalist leacer, mother of Miss C. M. Sedg wick, &c. Mra, Edmund C. Genot, daughter of Governor George Clinton, and wife of the French Minister here during the “ Days of Terror.”” Mrs. Lawrence Lewis, Nelly Custis, granddaughter of, Mra. Washington—‘ the universal favorite.’? Tho Marchioness D’¥rujo, daughter of Chief Justice McKean, and mother of Duke of Sotomayer, Prime Minister of Spain, &e. Mra. Chauncey Goodrich, daughter of Governor Wol- ott, aster of Ouver Wolcott, Secretary of the Trea- sury, &c. Charles Carroll (the younger), a daughter of Ber Chew, &ec. portraits of the ladies most celebrated for their istinguished social and political relations during the presidency ot Washington, present an unequalled gallery of American Lrauty, scarcely inferior, it is believed, to the famous collection of British Beauties in the reign of Charles the First, at the palace of Hampton Court; and the entire volume, illustrated asit is by the best artists of this country and Europe, and printed and bound in a syle of ic enmrpaones, “pees and wines takes rank feawenirgever ica Re CNSOVE a and people ited States. design of “The Repbbtian Gort” ie to give an interesting and faithful view. of the private and social life ‘of this country a of Washington. Referring as briefly vA outa political adiairs, it introduces the great characters of that illustrious age in their ne connections—in the parlor, the ball-room, the theatre— in aneedetes, descriptions, and details of every day ex- Dg nrw It embraces popular narratives of President fashington’s celebrated tour through the Eastern States, with all its festivities, parades, &c., and of the subsequent tour through the Southern States, with the imy ‘and enthu:iastic receptions in Chai ‘ Augusta, &c. The author says :—'‘It seemed to me that the volume would be, upon the whole, far more ac- «ceptable if, in its preparation, 1 confined myself, in even «the most triviel details of narrative, unpublished gent itor of which undred ‘ashing! a numbers by Mrs. ‘the families of Wolcott, Livi |e rae Willing, and others, who participated in the life L have attempted to cescribe.”” GISUB LL AN BO Us. BERHARD, NO: 167 For a mi gs twill slay. Keep a bright look out for counterfeits Examine the signature on the label. E LYON, central depot, 424 Broadway. De TESCHAUY, Offlea 106 Broadway, Now nt.—J. ee way, New ok. Tho public is reapocifully informed that this es- ‘tablishment y experienced workmen, will ive parti attention to the dyeing and refinishing, £ anew and superior style, of all sorts of = Mik, satin, velvet, merino, thibet and cas) shawls, ‘Canton and Italian crapes, gimps, fringes, curtains, pis- no table covers. Spots of B var paint, ice cream, lemonade, &e. taken without the whole. ss ‘all sorts bleach: {mendes and trana- ed, d very best style, and all kinds of light washed und’ dressed, ; Rr ‘THE SEAT OF WAR—S. CAHILL, 377 BROAD- way, has just received from Russia a now style of drersheed! ctealf akin lined with fur. Also, om hand ‘a new style of gent’s quilted bottom boots, furred and em- broidered had rtrd hoya’ and obild- shoes of all desc: acid audi 8 Cant, 377 Broadway. FIXTURES—OF SPLENDID DESIGN AND FIN. Gis. and twenty per cent oe than any other wholesste pA ed retail, at mani of J @. MOFFET, Nos. 119 and 121 Prince street, Diook wost of Broadway. Genet CAN BE SUPPLIED WITH HIGH pros Seistts for the winter, and warranted not to frees. N. acing se fitters wanted, at JOHN @. WILEON'S, 73 Center . IMBREDE, LEADER OF FASHION IN CARD EN- G ‘@raving, 686 Broadway, Metropolitan Hotel. Note and envelopes in ee ees marked with eeetevent conse. aE jew bg os wedding cards, rs GIMBREDE, 688 Broadway, east side. HERE, SE FOR YOU TO TELL ae Lge moustache or beard forit inj jow, young aa you ‘want beard, t, and if you’ve no hair, old maa bu; otthe: it to an; of the coun. vor ae 107 Nassau ‘yireet; Hayes, 176 street, Brooklyn ‘Third street, -Philadelpbia; Spalding, bd seetean tov Becton. Y OLAN MAGNEVISERS.—THE SECOND MEETING of this company will take place on Wednesday, December 6, and Saturday, December 9, at 27 James | street. Persons wishing to become members of the above company can do so by paying the initition feo, $1: | 3 , Captain, ‘ARGET EXCURSIONS.—THE PRESENT UNUSUALLY temperate season has proved favorable to target { excursions to a greater extent, than any subsequent one | for several years past: and advantage has bebn takea of | it by our youthful citizens of all classes, with a dogree of enthusiasm highly commendhble. As long as such spirit of military rivalry exists in the country, wo are | impregnable against the world. In this respect we have tue advantage of alf other countries, in always having a regular armed force of from three to five millions of men who ure drilled to the use of arms, and most of whom are practised shots, and this without any expense to the goverument. Most of this foree could be into the held in sixty days, and would prove more than a match for apy foreign armics that could be brought against them.” In this respect the United States may certainly be set down as the most powerful military country in the world, For all this strongth, the {armer, the mechanic, the merchant nor the laboring man, contribute one cont in the shape of tax. Target excursions, in tact, have gotien to be the primary school of our citizen soldiery. ‘Yo be convinced of this fact, one need but stand fur an hour or two at the Hoboken Ferry, on the Now Jersey MORNING EDITION—TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1854. | OPENING OF CONGRESS. | MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. AFFAIRS OF THE NATION. | The Financial Condition of the United States, Annual Report of the Secretary of the Treasury. Important Movement of General Walbridge Be- lative to the Duties on Coal, &o, &e., &o. THIRTY-THIND CONGRESS. SECOND SESSION. ride, and see the diflerent com; ies as they arrive from thie city—all active, intelligent, independent and brave young men. Our little neighbor, across the river, on puch occasions, looks likea military towa, and the streets fre merry with the strains cf martial music. More than one hundred of these companies have visited Hoboken during the present season for target practice, over seven- ty of which have been entertained by David Pollock, Esq, of the Mansion House, in that place, whose target ground is the finest in the vicinity of the olty, and capable of receiving four companies st atime. Ho serves them up dinners in the finest style, and at the shortest possible notice, the capacities of his house being on an extensive scale, and capable of accommodating @ grater number of people ata time’ than any otter hotel in that State. One day last week we called there, and found him serving dinners to four of these companies, whose aggregate numbers amounted to three hundr and seventy-eight men—a feat unparalleled, we should take it, in hovel keeping. These dinners were served up | in a style equal to the most aristocratic hotels in this city; and the wines and liquors, which gave a zest to the entertainment, could not be surpassed—they comprised the best and most noted bi imported. Since Mr. Pollock opened the Mansion House, ho has met with the greatest success, and it is now resorted to by tho best Fortion of our citizens who are in the hablt of visiting loboken. He hag made an extensive enlargement of his houre, adding dining rooms of the mast capacious aimen- sions, and a magnificent ball room, fifty fect square, wel] lighted and ventilated, and clear of post or pillar, Here the ball season wiil be represented efficiently. It has been hinted that, at the close of the tarzot season, Mr, Pollock will give @ grand invitation ball to the officers und committees of the companies that have honored hitn with their patronage. It will prove a grand aiair. These target excursions must be of some benefit to tho little village of Hoboken, as each company, on an average, leave there, in cash, from one hundred ‘and fifty to two hundred dollars. Let target excursions, then, thrive. It was such men as compose them that won our hardest battles in Mexico, and received the warmest eulogiums of our most distinguished officers commanding. We should like, however, to know, before the season onda, how many more companies Mr Pgllock is to receive, and | if he is to monopolize all that Dusinoss in New Jorsoy ? He th: yet, to dine six companies in the day. He can do easy enough. | Well, success to him. He is hearty, honest, whole souled fellow, and we wish him a ortune. —FOR SALE, THE CKLEBRATED $8.000- hotel and boarding house at Port jefferson, on Long Island Sound. The building is four stories high, grounds and outvuildings beautifully laid out, Furniture can be bad if desired. The above can be rented. Apply to. A. BUNCE, 212 Broadway, cor- ner of Fulton street, room No. i. 00 —FOR SALE, UNE OF THE BEST RiS- CUQ, taurantsin the gts tases lower portion of the city ; the Axtures are new and ele- gant, and the business extensive and rapidly increasing. Apply at 102 Nagsau street, Room No. ¥.. PURDY & CO. 250 ne ONLY.—TO BE SOLD TO THE FInsT BID. IP titted up segar store. der, to pay advafices, a first rate, elogant- ing a bargain can hurry up to 103. Nassau street, No.8. ae PURDY & CO. ’ Location unsurpassed. Those LARGE PLATE GLASS WINDOW AND TWO MAR- ble top counters for sale; silver plated sash, cost originally $75, will be sold for $30 if applied for imme. diately. Call at 90 Fulton streot. DESIRABLE OPPORTUNITY NOW OFFERS TO e in the fruit, pastry \dway, adjoining and any person wishing to en, sad wine business, located oa Address tf letter, Broadway Post Office. RUG STORE FOR SALE—-A LARGE AND BEAUTI, ful fitted up store, well stocked with druga, per: fomery and fancy ar:icles. The store is situated on ® corner, and on one of the greatest thoroughfares in the city, and doing from $10 to $16 a day. It will be sold very low toacash customer. Address James, Herald OR SALE OR EXCHANGE—A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY residence in Newtown, L. I., consisting of a two story cottage and out buildings, in excellont order, with twelve acres of Fane, on Rpagg about fine minutes ishing Railread. alk from the in 7 SAMUEL OSGOOD, 64 Nassau street. OR SALE—HALF OF THE STOCK AND FIXTURES of 8 porter house, No. 199 South street, up stairs, F* SALE—THE STOCK OF TOBACCO AND SEGARS, store fixtures, lease and good will of store, No. 74 ‘ulton étreet. Apply as above. JFPORSALE;A GHOCERY STORE IN ONE OF THE BEST locations in Williamsburg, L. I., doing a good busi- ness. Sek reasons given for selling. Apply to = BUTLER & CURTIS, Washington street, corner of elby. F@ SALE—THE STOCK AND FIXTURES OF TOOL store and plane manufactory; the old stand, 242 Grand street, a few doors east of the Bowery: has good dwelling and work shop on the and ood stock of plain timber on hand. ‘Will be sold at @. | ain, and upon terms, if a] d for soon. Rent one of the most monaate in iis tenet, Inquire on the ba tag hd of ROBERT WHITE, 169 Water street, near urling slip. F% SALE—THE STOCK, GOOD WILL, AND FIX- tures of a popular and well established restaurant and saloon in the Third ward, now doing a good busi- ness. Tho mnt proprietors are about leaving the preset city, and will fell a Ee. terms, if application is made immediately to F. B. , OF Murray street. Aen en {YOR EXCHANGE—FOR FURNITURE TO FURNISH a mediuw class Louse (the furniture must be of oe auality), a tract of Jand containing four hun- dred acres, ‘The land is eighty miles fro1 Pennsylvania, Price three dollars per sere. For sale, in the same place, a tract ot land containing 200 acres, Price 20s. per acre, half cash and half in one year. Both good farming lands. Address E. J. P., Herala office, or call at 12 Pine street, between the hours of 10 and 12, for five cays. Title unexceptionable and good reasons for velling. {OR SALE—A LARGE JARD ROOM, NOW DOING ‘@ good business. This is @ rare ehance for a youn; wan with a small capital. For sentintiess inquire av 312 Broadway, of T, B. HATCH. R SALE—IMMEDIATELY, A FIRST RATE Hi on the European plan, with between forty and fifty rooms, situated in one of the best locations on the East tiver, now doing a good business. Apply, at once, to C. G.’ THOMPEON, $1 Nassau street, room 7. HH AND DINING SALOON FOR SALE—ONE OF the best located establishments of the kind in the city, now doing & profitable businces. The lease is favor- on baving a vumber of woe ha The Png ebeap. Possession tromedi . For terms, &c., ad- drese G. ROGERS, Herald oboe” " Pies IN NEW YORK TO EXCHANGE FOR property in Bergen, West Hoboken or Newtown.— Also @ first class four story house and lot to exchange for a small farm about three miles from the fecry. Ap- ply at 476 Fourth street. 1 Acidic ecisnhecie RET 11 ST EWING MACHINE FOR SALE—ONE OF HOWE’S Patent, in perfect order. Cost $125. Will be sold for $75 if applied for immediately, at 118 Thompsen st. (0 BUTCHERS.—FOR SALE, THE FIXTURES AND goodwill of an old established and well located meat and poultry market, now doing a good business. Will be sold chenp to a cash customer, by applying at 85 Myrtle avenue, Brooklyn ALUABLE PROPERTY IN NASSAU STREET FOR sale. For further particulars inquire of BOUGH- TON & WARD, No, 52 John street. AA IODA ARORA RADAR AMMOTE Lalep ae ry Ae KING Charles spaniels, Ly my and panos, ratters, Solon. wevwar, ton sales ct 2G Water toh: corane on, Up stalra. Dt copy the addres? Senate. Wasurnaton, Dec. 4, 1854. MENTING OF THE SENATE—RESIGNATION OF THE PRESIDENT— THE MKMUKRS PRESENT, ETC, ‘The Senate was called to order at half-past 12 o'clock thirty-seven Senators being present. After a prayer by Rey. Mr. Slicer, the Secrerary read a letter from Mr. Atchison, dated Platte City, Missouri, Nov. lth, stating that as he could not be present at Washington before the third week in December, be re- signed bis post as President of the Senate. Mr. Huxtzr moved its acceptance, and that Hon. Lewis Cass be chosen President pro tem. for to-day. Agreed to. Mr. Cass took the chair and returned thanks, acknow- Jedging his incapacity to preside over the Senate. Mr. Foor presented the credentials of Lawrence Brainard, Senator from Vermont, to fill the vacancy oc- casioned by the death of Mr. Upham, Mr. Brainard sp- peared and was sworn. : Mr, Bropneap offered resolutions that the House and President be informed of the organization of the Senate. Agreed to. Mr. Masow offered a resolution that a ecmmittee be appointed to inform the President that Congress is ready to receive any communication he may have to make to them, Adopted. Mesers. Mason, Dodge of Iowa, and Toucey wore ap- pointed said committee. Mr. Bropmeap gave notice of a bill to extend the Bounty Land laws, so'as to give all soldiors 160 acres. Mr. Bropuxap offered a resolution directing the Com- mittee on Commerce to inquire into the expedionoy of providing by law for the better preservation of lives and property on steam and other sea-going vessels. Laid over. The following Senators are present in the Senate Chamber :—Messrs, Adams, Allen, Bayard, Bright, Brod- head, Brainard, Brown, Butler, Cass, Chase, Clay, Cooper, Dawson, Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge of Iowa, Evans, Fish, Fitzpatrick, Foot, Grier, Gillette, Hamlin, Hunter, James, Jones of Iowa, Jones of Tenn., Mason, Pettit, Rockwell, Seward, Shields, Slidcll, Stuart, Samner, Thompson of Ky., Toucey, Wade, Wells. Mr. Hasniy moved the daily hour of meeting to be twelve o'clock. Agreed to. Aj five minutes before 10 o'clock, Mr. Dongs, fron thecommitter apvointed, to wait on the President, re pol t they bad performed the duty winigded Uc ‘them, and that the message would be comnunigntod to Congress immediately, in writifig. At ten minutes after two the message’ was received fiom the President, by his Secretary, Sydney Webster, and read, and the message and documents ordered to be printed, and also ten thousand additional copies. Ad journed. House of Representatives. Wasmixcton, Dec. 4, 1854. TIE PRELIMINARY BUSINESS. The loud talking and laughter of mombera, who were standing in all parts of the hall, were silenced at meri- diam by the Speaker calling to order. Rey. Mr. Mupurs, the Chaplain, offered up a prayer. The roll was then calied, and 197 members answered to their names. Cuariss 8. Lewis, of Va., Mr. Gopwis, of N. Y., and Mr. Bristow, of Ky., were sworn as new members, On the motion of Mr. Jonrs, (dem.) of Tenn., a mes- sage was sent to the Senste, informirg them thata quorum was present and ready for business, and a come mittee was appointed, to act in conjunction with that which may be appointed by the Senate, to inform the President that a quorum of the two houses had assem bled, and were ready to receive any communication he may be pleased to make, Members then proceeded to ¢raw for the choice of seats. ‘THE VETO OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR, BILL. ‘The SPeaxeRr called the attention of the House to the fact that at the last day of the former session the Presi- dent sent in the veto of the River and Harbor bill, but there being no quorum present, the message was not then read. * Mr. Campsatt inquired whether it would be in order to move to postpone its further consideration until the first Monday of December next. | The SrzaxKer replied that the message must be read. | and it would then be for the House to take action | thereon, | The message was then read, and ordered to be printed; and on motion of Mr. Crunowan the further considera- tion of it was postponed until Wednesday. Ayes, 120; Noes not counted. | THE VOMUSTEAD BILL. | Mr. Dawson introduced the Homestead bill in lieu of | the one returned from the Senate last session. | TERRITORIAL BILLS, | Messrs. Lax, of Oregon, and Beawnrse:, of Utah, intrc- , duced bilis in relation to their respective territories. 1 ‘THE SOULE QUESTION. Mr. Ixorrsowt offered a resolution (which Mes over) requesting the President to communicate to the House if not inconsistent with the public interests, any corres. vondence which bas taken place between this and the French government, relative to the refusal of the latter to ellow the Minister to Spain to pass through the terri tory of France. PENSIONS FOR VETERAN SOLDIERS. ¢ Mr. Wantwortu, of Wivois, made an ineffectual mo- tion fo have the bill granting pensions to all persons en gaged in the war of 1812, snd all Indian wars since 1790, set apart for special order for the third Monday in January. 4 REPORT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL VISITING COMMITTER, Mr. Jonza, of Tennessee, from the joint committee appeinted to wait on tho President, reported they had performed the duty, and that the President requbsted them to say he would at once communicate his message in writing. BOUNTY LAND LAWa, Mr. Ruavz introduced a bill for tho extension of tho bounty land laws. ‘ A GOOD MOVE--REPRAL OF THE COAL DUTIVA. Mr. Warprincs offered a resolution that the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to bring in a bill for the removal of the present duty on foreign coals, so that they may bo admitted duty free. Laid over for discus- sion. ‘TUE OLD EOLMIERS AND THE PUBLIC LANDS, Mr. Frorence ineffectaally endeavored to have the « Old Soldiers’ Bounty Land Bill’ made & special order. ‘(THR OSTEND CONFSRENCE—INFORMATION WANTED, Mr: SoLtrrs asked leave to offer resolution, that the “ President of the United States inform the House, if not incompatible with the public intereste,”’ what was the object or objects of the meeting or conference of American Ministers at Ostend, and whether said con- ference was in obedience to instructiops from the Secro- tary of State, and what has been the result of it? Ob- jection made, Mr. Souixms moved the rules be suspended. Objected to—yeas 73, nays 102, ‘TRY PREMDERT'S ANNUAL MIEEAGE War received aud read. THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE | Friiow Cimaens or tum Senatz + AND tax Hoven ov Reraaewrarives — ‘The past has been an eventful year, and will be here- | after referred to as a marked epoch in the history of the world. While we have been happily preserved from the calamities of war, our domestic prosperity has not been entircly uninterrupted. The crops, in portions of the country, have been nearly cut off. Disease has prevailed | ton greaterextent than usual; and the sacrifice of hu- man life, through cassulties by sea and land, is without «parallel. But the pestilence has swept by, and re stored salubrity invites the absent to their homes, and | the return of business to its ordinary channels. If tho | earth has rewarded the labor of tho husbandman less bountifully than in preceding seasons, it has left him with an abundunce for domestic wants, and a large sur- plus for exportation. In the present, therefore, as in | j the past, we find ample grounds for reverent thankfal- ness to the God of grace and providence, for his protect- | | ing care and merciful dealings with us as a people. Although our attention has been arrested by painful interest in passing events, yet our country feels no more than the slight vibrations of the convulsions which have sbaken Europe. As individuals, we cannot repress sym- pathy with human suffering, nor regret for the causes which produce it. As a nation, we are reminded that whatever Interrupts the peace or checks the prosperity ‘fany part of Christendom, tends, more or less, to in- volve our own, The condition of States is not unlike that of individuals. They are matually dependent upon each other, Amicable relations between them, and recipro- cal good will, are essential for the promotion of whatever is desirable in their moral, social, and political condition, Hence, it has been my earuest endeavor to maintain peace and friendly intercourse with all nations. The wise theory of this government, s0 early adoptod and steadily pursued, of avoiding all entangling alliances, has hitherto exempted it from many complications, in which it would otherwise have become, involved. Not- withstanding this, our clearly defned and well-sustained of action, and our geographical position, so remote Europe, increasing disposition has been manifested, by some of its governments, to supervise, and, im certain respects, to direct, our foreign policy. In plans for adjusting the balance of power among themselvos, they have assumed to taka.us inte account, and would constrain us to conform our conduct to their views. One or another of the Powers of Europe has, from time to time, uhdertaken to enforce arbitrary regulations, con- trary in many respects to established principles of in- ternational law. »That law, the United States have, in their foreign Intercourse, uniformly respected and ob- served, and they cannot recognise any such in- terpolations therein as the temporary interests of others may suggest. They do not admit that the sovereigns of one continent, or of a particular community of States, can legislatefor all others. Leaving the trana-atlantic nations to adjust their po- litical system in the way they may think best for their common welfare, the independent Powers of this con~ tinent may well assert the right to be exampt from all annoying ‘interference on their part, Systematic absti- | nence from intimate political connection with distant foreign nations does not conflict with giving the widest range to our foreign commerce. ‘This distinction, #0 clearly marked {ti history, secms to have boon overloek- ed, or disregarded, by some leading foreign States. Our refusal to, be brought within, and subjected’ to, their peculiar system, bes, I fear, created jealous distrust of onr conduct, and induced, om their part, occasional acts of disturbing effect upon our foreign relations. Our present attitude and pact course give assurances, which should not be questioned, that our purposes are not aggressive, nor threatening to the safety and welfare of other uations. Our military -establithment, im time of peace, is adapted to maintain | exftrior defences, an’ to preserve order among tue | Abdeciging! tribes within the limits of the Union. Our navel force iv intended only forthe protection of our citizens abroad, and’of our commerce, diffused, ‘as ff ta; overall the seas. of the globe. The government of the United States, being essentially pacific in policy, stands prepared te repel invaaton by the volantary service of a petriotic people, and provides no permanent means of foreign aggression, These considerations should allay all apprehension thet we are disposed to encroach on the rights, or endanger the security, of other States. Some European Powors have regarded, with disquieting concern, the territorial expansion of the United States. ‘This rapid growth has resulted from the legitimate exer- cise of sovereign nights, belonging alike to all nations: and by many Wberally exercised. Under such ciroam- stances, it could hardly have been expected that those among them which have, within » compavatively recent period, subdued and absorbed aricient kingdoms, planted their standards on every continent, and now possess, or claim the contro] of, the islands of every ocean aa their appropriate domain, would look with unfriendly senti- ments upon the acquisitions of this country, in every instance hénorably obtained, or would fool themselves justified in imputing our advancement to a spirit of ag- gression, or tom passion for political predominance. Our foreign commerce has reached a magnitude and extent nearly equal to that of tho first maritime power of the earth, and exceeding that of any other. Over thia great interest, in which not only our merchants, but all classes of citizens at least rerggre & are concerned, it is the duty of the executive and legislative branches of the government to exercise # careful supervision, and adopt proper measures for its protection. The poticy which I have had in view, in regard to this interest, em- braces its future as well as ita present security. Long experience has shown that, in geoeral, when the principal powers of Europe’ are engaged in war, the rights of neutral nations are endangered. This consideration led, in the progress of tho war of our independence, to the formation of the celebrated confed- eracy of armed neutrality, # primary object of which was to assert the doctrine, that free ships muake free goods, except in the case of articles contraband of war: a doc- trine which, from the very commencement of our nation- al being, bas beens cherished idea of the statesmen of this bee 8 At one period or another, every maritime power has, by some solemn, treaty stipulation, recognized ihat principle; and it might have been hoped that it would come to be universally received and respected asa rule | of, international law. But the refural of one power prevented this, and in the next great war which ensued, that of thé French Revolution, it failed to be res] among the belligerent states of Europe. Notwithstand- ing this, the principle is generally admitted to be a sound and salutary one; so much so that, at tke com- mencement of the existing war in Europe, Great Britain and France announced thelr purpose to’ observe it for the present; pot, however, as a recognized international right, but as a mere concession for the time being. The co-operation, however, of these two powerful maritima nations in the interest of neutral rights appeared to mo to afford an occasion inviting and justifying on the part of the United States a renewed offort to make (he dos trine in iuestion ® ptinelplo of international law, by meana of special conventions between the several powors f Europe and America. Accordingly, @ proposition, «mbracing not only the rule that free ships make free goods, fee +! contraband articles, but also the less con- tested one that neutral property, other than contraband, though on board enomy’s ships, «hall be exempt from confiscation, bas been submitted by this: government to hose of Eutoye and America, Russia acted promptly in this matter, and a convention concluded between that country and the United fates, providing for the ohservanco of the principles announced, not only as between themacives, bit also as between them and all other nations which shall enter into like stipulations. None of the other powers have af yet taken final action on the subject. Iam not aware, however, that any objection to the propored stipulations bas been made; But. on the contrary, they are acknow- ledged to be essential to the reourity of neutral com. merce; and the only apparent obstacle to their general adoption is in the possibility that it may be encumbered by inadmiasible conditio The King of the Two Fic ister at Naples his readin: relative to neutral riz}: tien on that subject. ‘The King of Prussia of a treaty to the san proposes an additional article p ing for the re- nunciation of privatering. Such an article, for most obvious reasons, is much desired by nations having naval establishments, large in proportion to their forsign commerce, If it were adopted as an interna tional rule, the commerce of a nation having com- paratively @ mall naval force, would be very much at the mercy of its enemy, im case of war with @ power of decided ‘naval superiority. The bare statement of the condition in which the United States would be placed after having surrendered the right to resort to priva- teers, in the event of war with a belligerent of naval su- teeny will show that this ernment could never expressed to our Min- cur in our proposition cnter into @ conven- pproves of the project itted to him, bat jsten to & proposition, e navy of the first mari- time power in Europe is at least ten times as large as that of the United States. The fc commerce of the two conntries ia nearly equal, and about equally ex- posed to hostile depredations. In war between that qower and the United States, without resort on our part Set tay eee marine, the ee nik enomy to in- TY UPON Our commerce woul tenfold greater than ours to retaliate, We could not extricate our coun- try from thts nnednal condition, with such an enemy, Wblews Wek. caer COporied ‘rem our preeeat pencetul | little way in carrying owg'that priaciple, which eq | time, the Treasury Department iasued a regulation, for as- —=—=—= policy, and became a great naval power. Nor would this country be better situated in war with one of the se. cor naval powers. Though the naval ity would be less, the greater extent and more ex, A dition of our wide spread commerce would. give any Nhem a like advantage over us. The proporitien to enter into engagements to for s0:t to privateers, in case this country should be forced into war with a great naval power, is not entitled to more ,"evorable consideration than woul be a proposition to agree? not to accept the services of volunteers for ope- rations oc land. W. the honor or the rights of our country r¥quire it to assume a hostile attitude, it con- fidently re. ee the patriotism of its citizens, not or- dinarily dev to the military profession, to augment thearmy ana‘ the navy so ay to make them fully ade- quate to the emergency which cails thenr tuto action. ‘The proposal to surrender the right to omploy privateers is profesredly founded upon the principle that pri- vate property of unoeffending non combatants though enemies, should be exempt from the ravages of war; but the proposed surrender goes but wall hat such rivets property. should mot be seized d by nations ships of war. Should the lead- 1 Europe conear in provcsing, rule of al law, to exempt private property upon the from seizure by pubic armed cruisers, as well as by privateers, the United #tates wil? readily meet them upon that broad ground. Since the adjournment of Congress the ratifications of the treaty between tho United States and Great Britain, relative to coast fisheries, and to recipwecal trads with tee British North Americaa provinces, have been ex- changed, and some of its anticipated alvantages are already enjoyed by as, atibough its full oxecuti nm wos io abide certain acte of logistation not yet fully performed. So soon as it was ratified, Groat Britain opened to our commerce the free navigation of Ihe river St. Lawrenee, and to our fishermen wamolesied access to the sheres and bays, from which they hai been previously excluded, on the coats of her Foeth Ameri- can preyinces; in return for which; she asked for the-in- troduction, free of duty, into the’ perts of the United States, of the fish caught on the same coast py British fishermen. ‘This being the compansation, atfpulated in ‘he treaty, for privileges of the highest importance and value to the United States, which were thus voluntarily yielded before it became eflectien, the request seemed tome to be a reasonable one; bat it could not be acceded to, from want of authority to suspend our Jews imposing duties upon all foreign fish. Tu the wean- requires or mek certaining the duties paid or secured by bonds on fish caught ou the coasts of the British provinces, and brought to our markets by British subdjects, after the fishing grounds had been made fully accessible to the citizens of the United States. I recommend to your fa- vorable consideration a proposition, which will be su; mitted to you, for authority to rnfund the duties and cancel the bonds thus received. The provinces of Cana- da and New Brunswick have also anticipated the full operation of the treaty, by legislative arrangements, respectively, to admit, free of duty, the products of the United States mentioned in the free list of the troaty; andan arrangement, similar to that regarding British fish, has been made for duties now chargeable on the products of those provinces enumerated in the same free list, and introduced therefrom into the United States; a proposition for refunding which will, in my judgment, be in like manner entitled to your favorable concidera- tion. There is difference of opinion between the United Statos and Great Britain as to the boundary line of tho Territory of Washington adjoining the British poavess- ions on ehe Pacific, which has already led to difticulties on the part of the citizens and local authorities of the two governments. 1 recommend that provision be made for a commission, to be joined by one on the part of her Britannic Majesty, ior the purpose of running and es- tublishing the line in controversy. Certain stipulations of the third and fourth articles of the Uber concluded by the United States and Great Britain in 1846, regard- nig’ possessory rights of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and voperty of the Poget’s Sound Agricultural Company, ate ia Wiess 10° melee disputes, and it is im: pertant to all concerned, that summary means of settling them amicably should be devised. I have reason to believe that om arrangement can be made on just terms, for the extinguishment of the rights in question, embracing, also, the right of the Hudson's Bay Company to the navigation of the river Columbia: and I therefore suggest to your comsidergtion, the expediency of making a contingent appropriation for that purpose. France was the early and efficient ally of the United States in their. struggle for independence. From that time to the preeent, with occasional slight interruptions, cordial relations of friendship heve existed between the overnments and people of the two countries. The kind- jy sentiments, cherished alike by both nations, have led to extensive social and commercial intercourse, which, Ltrust, will not be interrupted or checked by any cas" ual byentof an spparently unsatisfactory character. ‘the French Consul at Gan Francisco was, not omg since, brought into the United Sintes District Court atthat place? by compulsory process, aa a witnows in favor of cnothor foreign consul, in violation, as the French government concotves, of his rividegesunder our ing cozsulor convention with France. There nothing tthe transaction which could inuply any disrespect to France or ita consul, such. explanatina has been made as Thope will be satisfactory. Subsequontly, misuader- standing ardso on the subject of the Frenoh goveramout | having, as it sppepred, abruptly excluded the Araerican minister to Spaiu from passing through France, on his way from Londop to. Macrid. Rut that government has unequivocally disavowed any design to deny the right of transit to the Minister of the United States; and, «after explanations to this effect, ht hns rnsumed his journey, and aetually returned thr ugh Francs to Spaia. Uhero. with lay before correspondence on this subject between our Envi t Paris and the Minister of Foreign Relations of the French government: ‘The position of our affairs with Spain remains as at the close of your last session. Internal agitation, as- suming very hearly the character of politieal revolution, has recently aonvulsed that country. The late Minis- ters were violently expelled from’ power, and men of | very ditferomt viows in relation to its internal affairs have succeeded. Since this change these has been | no pro 8 opportunity to resume and press on negotiations foxy the adjustment of serious ques- tions of difficulty between the Spanish govern- mt and the United States. There is rea- to believe that our Ministers will find the | present government more favorably inclined than the | preceding to comply with our just demands, and to make suitable arrangements for restoring harmoay and preserving peace between the two countries. Negotiations aré pending with Denmerk to diseontinue the practice of levying tolls om our vessels and their cargoes passing through the Sound. I do not doubt that we can claim exemption therefrom, as a matter of right. It is admitted on all bands tbat this exaction is sanctioned, not by the general principles of the law of natiens, but only by special conventions, which most of the commercial’ nations have entered into with Den- mark. The fifth article of our treaty of 1826 with Den- mark, provides that there shall not be paid, on the ves. sels of the United States and their caagoea when passing through the Souud, higher duties than those of the most favored nations. This mly be regarded as an im- plied agreement to submit to the tulls during the continuance of the treaty, and, consequently, may em- barrass the assertion of our right to be released there from. ‘There are also other provisions in the treaty which anght to be modified. It was to remain in force | for ten years, and unfil one year after either party | shovid give notice to the other of intention to terminate it. Ideem it oxpedient that the contemplated notice should be given to the government of Denmark. * ‘The naval expedition, deepatelied about two years since for the purpose of establishing relations with tho empire of Japan, has been sbly and skilfully conducted toa successful termination. by the officer to whom it was entrasted. A treaty, opening certain of the ports of that Fopulous country, hax been negotiated; and ii order to give fall eflect thereto, it only remains to ex- peso ie ratifications, and adopt requisite commercial re: ulations, 3 ‘The treaty Intely concluded hetween the United States and Mexico settled some of our most embarrassing difi- culties with that country, but numerous claims upon it for wrongs and injuries to our citizens remained? unad- justed, and many new casea have been recently added to the former list of grievances. Our legation has been ear- nest in its endeavors to obtain, from the Mexican govern- ment, a favorable considerstion of these claims, but hitherto without success, This failure is, probably, in some measure to be avcribed to the disturb- ed condition of that country. It has been my tuxious desire to maintain {riendly.” relations with the Mexican Republic, and to cause its rights and territories to be respeeted, not only by our eltizens, ‘but by foreigners who have bonged to Mice me | for the purpose f organizing hostile expeditions at some of the States ‘ot that republle The defeneelens condition in whic: ite frontiers have been left has ati- mulated lawless adventurers to embark in these enter- prises, and greatly increased the diftisulty of enforcing our obligations of neutratity. Regarding it ns my soleum duty to fuitil, efficiently, these obligations, not only | towarda Mexico but other aah nations, I have ex- erted all the powers with which f am invested to defeat such criminal proceedings, and bring to ps those who, by taking & part theroin, slated our laws. The energy and activity of onr civil and mili- | tary authorities have frustrated the designs of thove who meditated expeditions of this character, except in two instances. One of these, composed of foreigners, was atGret countenanced and aided by the Mexican government itself, it having been ceceived as to their | real object. The other, small in number, eluded the vi- gilance of the magistrates at San Franclaco, and suo- ceeded in reaching the Mexican territories; but the effec. | tive measures taken by thia government compelled the abandonment of the undertaking. ‘The commission to establiah the new line between the United State: i Mexico, according to the provisions of the treaty of the 30th of December last, has been orga- the work is already commenced. yor ties with the Argentine Confederation, and with the Republic of Uraguay and Paraguay, secure to us the free navigation of the river La Pinta and some of of its larger tributaries; but the samme success has not attended our endeavors to open the Amazon. The rea- rons im favor of the free use of that river I had ocension to present fully ina former messege; and, considering the cordial relations which heve tong existed between this government aud Bratil, it may be expected that pencing negotiations will, eventually, reach a favorable result. Convenient means of transit, between tho several parte of a country, are not only desirable for the objects of commercial and personal communication, but essential to ite existence under one ment, tated 06 ‘shment govern Sepai are the Atlantic snd Pacific coasts of the United States coutinent, sti’' the inliab- commra'ty hy the whole yen of the fante of eaen are lestly be Of ts gb had imptiiutte toerher as, oRG hy PRICE TWO CENTS, ve Union. Hence the constant and inter- couse and vast interchange of ‘ntl proteins betw.%en there remote divisions of the Republic. At the time, the most practicable only comme b roNtes for communication between them are by rT of the Isthmus of Central America. itis tue duty of the ,wvernment to secure these avenues against all Tanger terru; In relation td Sen! tral America, porplexi usstions existed between \be United States and Grea! ix at the time of the ces.don of California. These, aa woll as qeestions which # uently arose concerning inter- occanic communicat\on across the Is! were, as it was supposea, adjuvied by fhe treaty of April 19, 1860: bate, Madortusiabely: they had been Tepeucd by Lad rieus misunderstanding 4s to tue of some of {ts provisions, a re-agjustment of whieh is now under consideration. Our at Londom has made strenuous efforts to accomplish this desirable oifect, but has not yet found it possible ts bring the negotiations to a termhination. As incidental to there quest{ony., I deem it proper te notice am occurrence which happried in Ceatral near the close of the last session of Congrass. So ae the necessity was perceived of establishing inter- oceanic communications across the Tsh'imus, & was antized, under authority of tige State of Nica- ragua, but composed, for the most part, of citizens of the United States, for the purpose of opening such @ transit way, by the river San Juan ant! Ya\ke Nicaragua; which soon betame an eligible ani mucts used route in the transportation of our citizens and theirproperty betweem the Ailantic and Pacific. Meanwhile, aadin anticipation of the completiow and importance of thie tramsit way, number of adventurers had taken possession of theol@ Spanish port at the mouth of the river Se@-J’aan, in opem defiance of the State or States of Central Amewica, whieh, upon their be independent, had =i sao- ceeded to the local sovereignty and jurisdichior of : ‘These adventurers undertook to change thonam of the place from San Juan del Norte to Greytown, at first Vales) toact as the sul jects of the sovereign of the Mosquito Indians, they subssqquently re— pudiated the control of any power whatever, axsumed tet adopt a distinct political Organization,and dec!sred them—* selves an independent sovereign State. If, at some time? a faint mone was entertained thst they might become @* stable and respectable community, that hope seon van-* inked. They proceeded to assert untounded cthims te! civ:] jurisdiction over Punta Arenas, ® positiomon the’ opposite side of the river San Juan, which waa im pos- session, under a title wholly independent of them, af” citizens of the United States, interested in the Nicara- gua Transit Company, and which was indispensably me- ces ary to the prosperous operation of that route soroms the Isthmus. The company resisted their groumtless claims; whereupon they proceeded to destroy some of ita buildings, and attempted vivlently to dispossess it. Ata later period they organized a strong force forthe purpose of dewollabing the establishment at Punta Are~ ign was defeated by the im eof our ships of war, at that time im? the harbor of fan Juan. Subsequently to this, in last, a body of men from Greytown crossed over to Punts Arenas, arrogating authority. to arrest, on the ba er of murder, a captain of one of the steamboats of the ‘Iransit’ Company. Being well aware that the claim to exercise jurisdiction there would be. re sisted. then, as had been on previoum occasions, they went to assert it by force of arms, Our minister te. Central America happened to be present.om that occasion. Believing that the captain of the steam- boat waa innocent, for he wituessed the transaction om ~ which the charge was founded, and believing, alao, that the jntruding party, having no jurisdiction, over the place where they proposed to make thearrest, would encounter desperate resistance if they persisted im their purpose, he interposed, effectually, to vent violence aud bloodshed. The American = ster afterwards visited Greytown, and whilst he was here, a mob, including certain of the so callod public functionaries of the place, surrounded the house im wuich he was, avowiog that they had come to arrest him, by order of some person exercising the chief su- thority. While parleying with them he was wounded, by a missile from the crowd. A boat, despatched from the American steamer Oorthern Light to release him from the perilous situation in which he was understood to be, fired into by the town guard, and compelled toreturn. These incidents, together with the knowm character of the population of Greytown, and their ex- cited state, mduced just appreliensions that the lives and property of our citizens at Punta Arenas would be in imminent danger after the departure of the steamer, with her passengers, for New York, unlessa guard waa left {oy their protection. For this purpose, and in order to ensure the safety of passengers and property pas over the route, a temporary force was organized, at con- siderable expense to the United States, for which pro- vision was made at the last seaxion of Congress. This pretended community, a heterogenous assem! gathered fiom various countries, and composed, for most part, of blacks and yerrons of mixed blood, had previously given other indications of mischievous an@ dapgerous propexsities, Early in the property wis claxdestinely abstracted from the depot the Transit Company, and taken to Greytown. The plonderers obtained shelter there, and their pursuers were driven dack by ite people, who not only protected. the wrongdvers, and shared tho plunder, but treated W th radeness and violence those who sought to recover. eir property. Such in substance, are the facts submitted to my con- ration, and proved by trustworthy evidence, “Yeould not doubt that the caso demanded the interposition of thin government. Justice required that reparation shonld and ‘be made for 80 many and such gross that a course of insolence and plunder, tendi | to the insecurity of the lives of numerous ‘trareliors, of the rich treasure belonging to our citizens, pass ing over this transit way, should be peremptorily arrested. Whatever it might be in other wapecte, the community in question, in powrr to do mischief, was not despicable, It was weil provided with ordnance, a arms and ammunition, and might easi’y seize on the un- armed boats, freighted with millions of property, which. passed almost daily within its rench. It did not ang belong to any regular, government, and id, in fact, no recognized dependence on, or connec- tion with, any one to which the United States or their injured citizens might apply for redress, or wnich coul@ be held responsible, in any way, for the outrages com- mitted. Not standing before the world in the attitude of an organived political society, being neither compe- tent to exercise the rights nor to discharge the oblige- tions of @ government, it was, in fact, a mara tablishment, too di jus to be disregarded, and too guilty to pass unpunished, and yct incapable of bei treated in any other way as a piratical resort outlaws, or a camp of savages, deprodating on hee ger'd trains or caravans and the frontier settlements of civi. MSeuscnabie not he people of Greyto Seasonable notice was given to the of Gi we, that this government required them to repair the in- juries they had done to our citizens, and to make suit- able apology for their insult to our minister, and the & ship-of-war would be despatched thither to,enforce compliance with these demands. But the notice pessed unhéeded. Thereupon a commander of the navy, im ebarge of the sloop-of-war Cyanc, was ; te repeat tho demands, and to insist upon « anee therewith. Finding that neither the nor those assuming have authority over them manifested any disposition to make the required preparation, or even to offer excuse for their conduct, he warned them, by a public proclomation, that if they did not give satisfaction within a time specified, he would bombard the town, By this procedure ho aft forded them opportunity 5B ten for thefr personal safety. To those alo who desired to avoid loss af pro- perty, in the ppnishment about to be inflicted on the of- fending town, he furnished the means of remo their effects, by the boats of his own ship, of a steamer which ho procured and tendered te them for that purpore. "atiength, percelving no dta- porition on the part of the town to comply with his re- quisitian to the commander of her Bri- tannic Ma, echooner Bermuda, who waa seen to have intercovree, and apparently much influence with the leaders among them, to interporo and persuade them to take some course calculated to save the neceest- en | ty of resorting to the extreme measure indicated in hie proclamation; but that officer, instead of acceding te the request, did nothi; more than to protes¢ againet the contemplated bouibardments No of any sort were ti he give xen, by the people, to the tion required. No individuals, if any there who regarded themselves as not responsible for Bp Reng duct of the community, adopted any means to separate themselves from the the fate of the guilty, The Ff be on which the demands for redress were bad been publicly known to all for some time, and were Pa ennounced to them. They did not deny of these charges; they offered no nothing in extenuation of their condnet; but contumas © ciourly refased to hold any intercourse with the manderef the Cyane. By their obstinate silence t! seemed rather desirous to provoke chastisement than cacape it. There fs ample reason to believe that conduct of wanton deflance on their part is imputsble chiefly to the delusive idea that the ern ment would be. deterred from punishing them, fear of displeasing a fortidable mae to think, looked wit whieh, | they premnmed complaceney upon their aggressive’ and in --lting fepartment towards tho. United States: mhe vane at length fired upon the town. Before m: fa jury had been done, the fire was twice suapende:! in or- der to afford opportunity for an arranzgenient; bat thie clined. Most of the buildings of the place, of Ht te value generally, were, in the sequ d; bu owing to the consi Precautions taken by our nav commander, there was no destru of life. Ween the Cyane was ordered to Central America it wag confidently hoped pna expected that no occasion woukt arise for a to violence and destruction of pro~ perty and lose of life.” Instructions to that pe | fven to her commander. ‘And no extreme act ve been requisite had thems: ives, by their extraordinary conduct in the affair, fras- ‘trated all the —_ mild measares for obtaining satie- faction. A I from the place, the ol of bie tisit entirely defeated, would, the circumstances, in which the commander of tho ( ment ail aan of our cite . be have been atrolute abandon: zens for indemnification, and submissive aoq in onal indignity. It would have encouraged in these ieweeve mens myeit ot insolence and rapine dan. and of our of jic force; but the arrogant conta of pd ped it impossible to avoid altern: either to break up their ertabliehment, or to leave impressed with the Hien that they might perae: bat aca ihe bow boat we ol /